Nigeria Boxing Federation secretary-general, Tunde Laguda has appealed for sponsorship to facilitate its programmes for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, billed for July 23 to Aug. 3.

Laguda told NAN in Lagos that lack of funds had prevented the federation from carrying out its programmes for the Games, previously called the British Empire Games.

The secretary said all the build-up events for January were unattended to.
“February (yesterday) is nine days old. There is nothing on ground to put the boxers in competition mood,” he said.

According to him, skills cannot be acquired without going through a competitive stage fight, where boxers can size-up themselves, fist-to-fist.

He said that it was obvious that the National Sports Commission (NSC) would fund the federation for the Games.  “But the federation needs funds to prepare for the Games”.

He appealed to individuals and organisations to aid the federation in carrying out its training programmes, pending when the NSC would release funds.

“Forty boxers, including 10 female, have been selected for the event.

“The federation has in its time-table, build-up activities from January to July, to keep the boxers at alert,” he said.